Richard Briers, known to millions for his role in The Good Life, has died aged 79.

Briers, whose work ranged from Noddy to Shakespeare, revealed just days before that he was struggling with the lung disease emphysema which he blamed on years of smoking.

He said: “I haven’t even got the strength to garden any more. Five hundred thousand cigarettes, that’s the trouble. The ciggies got me. I didn’t think it would go quite as badly as it has. It’s a bugger, but there it is. I used to love smoking.”

Peter Egan, his co-star in Ever Decreasing Circles, said: “I spent nearly 10 years just laughing. He was just the most magical comedian, a huge talent, has been a part of the nation’s lives for over 50 years.” Speaking to Radio Berkshire, Egan went on: “He is a centre-piece of our humorous culture and a magnificently talented man. I’m so deeply sad today that he has left us. He was a great person.”

The actor’s godson Samuel West — whose mother Prunella Scales appeared alongside Briers in Marriage Lines — said on Twitter: “What a lot of joy he spread.”

Briers had continued to work until quite recently, reading poetry for a Disney series for young children and taking a cameo role in the Ray Cooney film Run For Your Wife.

But it was television comedy and Shakespeare that provided the most acclaim of a long career stretching back to the 1960s. Born in Raynes Park in 1934, Briers was introduced to acting while doing national service with future George and Mildred star Brian Murphy.

After leaving the RAF, Briers studied at RADA and first came to prominence as George Starling in Marriage Lines.

But it was the role of Tom Good, who, with wife Barbara, played by Felicity Kendal, embarked upon The Good Life of self-sufficiency in suburbia which made him a household name in the 1970s. Next door neighbours were the Leadbetters played by Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington.

Although set in Surbiton, the series was shot in north London in Northwood. It became so popular the final episode was even filmed before the Queen.

Yet The Good Life was only part of the Briers CV. He was the original voice for Noddy on TV, made adverts for clients including Midland Bank and enjoyed more success in the series Ever Decreasing Circles and, later, Monarch of the Glen.

And he also received recognition for stage work from Shakespeare to George Bernard Shaw. Richard Briers is survived by his wife, Ann Davies, an actress, and two daughters, including the actress Lucy.